The Ultimate Fishing Kayak Just Got "Ultimater"

Any time a company decides to update a popular model, there are risks: example, the 1974 Ford “Mustang”. This “Pinto-based” model was destined for failure, and today would still not be considered by some as a classic. When I heard Native Watercraft was updating one of their signature lines of fishing kayaks, I hoped I wouldn’t find a Pinto-esque rendition of the classic “Ultimate”.

I got my first glimpse of the “Ultimate FX” last week at Outdoor Retailer. Clean lines and the classic tunnel hull all made me breathe a sigh of relief. Native Watercraft has taken everything we loved about the original and made them better! The Ultimate FXs now have High-Low seating, a large drain plug, flattened foot wells, and easily convert from solo to tandem in the Ultimate “15 FX Tandem”.

When I paddled the Ultimate 15 FX Tandem, the kayak was much more comfortable to stand in because of the flat foot wells. Initial stability felt about the same, but the secondary stability has increased. Both Adam and I were able to stand on one leg in the kayak without the kayak ever coming close to flipping. Paddling and handling in the low seat position felt about the same as the Classic. In the high position, the kayak paddled well and was only slightly tippier.

Adam spoke with Shane Benedict from Native Watercraft at Outdoor Retailer who walked him through all the changes to the Ultimate for 2014.

With all the enhancements Native Watercraft has put into their latest Ultimate fishing kayak, I’m ready to trade in my original Ultimate 14.5 Solo for the Ultimate 15 FX Tandem.

Native Watercrafts new colors for 2014

From top to bottom: Copperhead, Gator Bait, Blue Lagoon, and Lizard Lick

Mark "YakSushi" Watanabe is the Co. Founder of YakAngler.com, "He built this site!". He considers himself a mediocre fisherman and an unexceptional writer. He's the devoted father of a ton of little sushis (Air Quotes) and everyday tech ninja.